Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/03/archos_tv_plus_at_ces/
Archos to launch against Apple TV next week
3rd January 2008 13:29 GMT
French media player maker Archos will next week take on the Apple TV with a small white Wi-Fi-enabled box designed to be connected to your telly of its own.
Archos' TV+: full DVR
Apparently dubbed the TV+, the unit scores over the Apple box is three major ways, even though it doesn't look as good. First, it's much more capacious, with a 250GB version being offered alongside a cheaper, 80GB model. Second, it has DVR functionality built in, allowing it to record programmes, albeit at a sub-SD 640 x 480 resolution, according to an Ubergizmo report (http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2008/01/archos_tv_wireless_dvr_media_hub.html).
Finally, it supports standard-definition TVs through a composite- and s-video ports.
Browser-friendly remote
Like the Apple TV, Archos' box has component-video and HDMI portage for HD TV hook-ups, along with digital and analogue audio out, and both wired and wireless networking.
The TV+ is designed to be able to surf the web, courtesy of a built-in version of Opera and a humunguous remote control with an integrated Qwerty keyboard.
Archos will be showing the TV+ at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week. Will the gadget ship at the same time? We don't know, but we can say the US price is pegged at $250 for the 80GB (£126/€169) model and $350 (£176/€237) for the 250GB TV+.
Related Reviews
• Archos 605 Wi-Fi personal media player (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/09/06/review_archos_605/)
• Solwise DMP-1120w UPnP/DLNA network media player (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/11/29/review_solwise_dmp1120w/)
• Apple TV 160GB media player (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/04/review_apple_tv/)